Sunday, August 23, 2009

3B Jorge Jimenez laced an RBI single down the right-field line to score SS Iggy Suarez and give the Portland Sea Dogs (60-65) a 3-2, 10-inning, walk-off victory over the Harrisburg Senators (60-65) on Sunday afternoon at Hadlock Field. Portland snaps a 4-game losing streak and can split their 4-game set with Harrisburg on Monday night.

The Sea Dogs picked up their first walk-off win since June 3 (against Binghamton) and RHP Bryce Cox (1-5) earned his first win of the season. Cox retired all four batters faced, anchoring Portland’s bullpen which hurled five scoreless innings. LHP Justin Jones (4-12) suffered the loss for Harrisburg, yielding two hits and one run over 1.2 IP.

Suarez led off the 10th inning and was plunked on the first pitch from Jones. CF Matt Sheely executed a perfect sacrifice-bunt. LF Daniel Nava was intentionally walked to set up a double play. 2B Ryan Khoury hit into a force out, sending Suarez to third base. Jimenez roped a single down the right-field corner and picked up his 74th RBI of the season.

The Sea Dogs struggled against Harrisburg starter LHP Aaron Thompson. The lefty hurled six strong innings on one run, five hits, one walk but fanned 11. Thompson struck out eight straight batters between innings 3-thru-5. Trailing 1-0, Portland tied the game in the second inning on a sacrifice-fly by RF Jason Place. The Senators came right back to tie the game off RHP Blake Maxwell (ND, 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 2 SO).

RF Michael Daniel led off with a double and scored on a ground out by 1B Chris Marrero. RHP Adrian Alaniz relieved Thompson after six innings and surrendered a solo-shot to C Luis Exposito over the Maine Monster, tying the game at two. The Senators had three baserunners off Portland’s bullpen: LHP Tommy Hottovy (2 IP, H, SO), LHP Andrew Dobies (1.2 IP, H, BB, 4 SO) and Cox (1.1, SO). Portland and Harrisburg will wrap up their 4-game series on Monday night beginning at 7:00 PM from Hadlock Field. Catch all the action on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network beginning at 6:30 PM with the Pre-Game Show built by CorrectDeck. To purchase tickets, visit www.seadogs.com or call (207) 879-9500.

Notes…The Sea Dogs picked up their 4th walk-off win at Hadlock Field and their first extra-inning win at home...Exposito has hit both homers on this homestand and over the Maine Monster…Portland is 11-14 during a 26-game stretch against the Southern Division that ends tomorrow…The Sea Dogs remain 4.5 games behind New Britain for the second playoff spot in the Northern Division. COURTESY PORTLAND SEA DOGS